CH 43

y yuuki28-36 minutes 13.08.2023

Bó Ruò Yōu still surprised Huò Wēi Lóu in the end.

The Metropolitan Government Office was at the Son of Heaven’s foot, it was not an existence that an ordinary government office could compare to. Hè Chéng, being the parental official of a prefecture, still had leeway in using a female coroner, but no matter how skilled Bó Ruò Yōu was at post-mortem autopsies, the current Capital Magistrate might not necessarily have the audacity to arbitrarily bring along a woman for official business.

But if she had Marquis Wuzhao’s recommendation, everything would be much different.

With that in mind, Bó Ruò Yōu insisting on waiting for the case to be solved before speaking, wasn’t necessarily without reason; Huò Wēi Lóu has never been swayed by personal interest in official business. Unless she was truly worthy of a recommendation, why would he randomly help her?

Huò Wēi Lóu’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, “Why the Metropolitan Government Office of all places?”

Bó Ruò Yōu’s clever eyes stared at Huò Wēi Lóu without shifting or evading him once, “Because min’nü heralds from a family clan based in the Capital. In the past, she followed Yifu and Yimu to Qingzhou, but after Yimu passed away, Yifu was struck with the thought of bringing min’nü back to the homeland. Min’nü has received Hè daren’s appreciation in Qingzhou, but if [we] are returning to the Capital, it can be imagined that finding a chance to display [my] skills would difficult, which is why [I] thought of making a request to Hou’ye.”

Her words were quite reasonable, but Huò Wēi Lóu continued to peer at Bó Ruò Yōu, sensing that her pupils were being shrouded in mist, which made it less vivid. Generally speaking, his silence was rather frightening, so Bó Ruò Yōu lowered her eyelids, appearance slightly uneasy.

There were no women working as a coroner in the world. Furthermore, Huò Wēi Lóu loathed women becoming involved in official business the most, and everyone inside and outside of the court was aware of his temper. If he chose to help her this time, wouldn’t it be like breaking his vow of abstinence? Additionally, the officials and offices inside the Capital was not something that ordinary prefectural-level government offices could compare to, if Huò Wēi Lóu chose to reject her because he felt that it was inappropriate, that would be incredibly normal too.

Bó Ruò Yōu pursed her lips tightly on reflex.

“You do have a level of mastery in terms of post-mortem autopsy skills, benhou will simply send a letter of recommendation to the Metropolitan government office.” Huò Wēi Lóu suddenly opened his mouth after scrutinising her for a short beat.

Bó Ruò Yōu raised her eyes in response. Her suspended heart landed on the ground, filling her entire face with undisguised joy. “Is Hou’ye saying that in seriousness?”

This was really the first time Huò Wēi Lóu witnessed her being so happy; her eyes were glittering bright, all resplendent and moving as she stared at him urgently, as if she could only completely set her heart at ease after receiving his confirmation. Huò Wēi Lóu could not help but curve his lips as well, “Each word from benhou is akin to thirty thousand catties; since it has been spoken, it is naturally said in seriousness.”

Greater elation spilled out from the bottom of Bó Ruò Yōu’s eyes, and even her trembling lashes were fluttering with joy, “Many thanks to Hou’ye.”

She has always been sweet-tempered and quiet, now that the tips of her brows and the corners of her eyes were stained with unconcealed felicity, it added a touch of childishness to her, and yet it made her come alive, wholly and vividly, like she had received the best treasure in the land under the Heaven.

Huò Wēi Lóu gazed at her. Although he had heard more pleasant-sounding thank-you speeches, some tepid and warm feelings unexpectedly gushed out from the bottom of his heart for some unknown reason. He served under one individual while being above the everyman, he had bestowed down great wealth and granted high positions, even going as far as entrusting cities to others, and among the people who have received his bestowments and favour, there was none who weren’t deeply grateful.

The speeches that they gave while shedding tears of gratitude was a hundred times more moving than Bó Ruò Yōu’s words but hidden in the depths of their eyes was their greed, which resembled a snake spitting out its forked tongue as they stirred. Everyone was aware that they could ask for more from Marquis Wuzhao, and none of them knew what satisfaction was. None of them were like Bó Ruò Yōu, where a small recommendation letter could make her so ecstatic.

The exuberance remained on Bó Ruò Yōu’s countenance. She was born with dark brows and starry eyes, and now that she was over the moon, her eyes were a pool of flowing spring waters, inundating and emitting light. Huò Wēi Lóu was transfixed, suddenly wishing that he could make that happiness stay on her face for a while more.

“Is a recommendation letter enough?’

Since the dignified Marquis Wuzhao asked such a question, it implied that there were still grounds for negotiation. However, Bó Ruò Yōu said: “It’s enough. Hou’ye has a high and weighted position, min’nü only needs a chance, many thanks to Hou’ye.”

Huò Wēi Lóu felt that the warm current in his heart was just as thin as a trickle coming out from between rock seams at the start, and now it had become a mouth of spring, gurgling as it poured out a heated stream. His countenance relaxed by a fair bit, and yet he felt that Bó Ruò Yōu’s answer was not what he was hoping for, “The Capital is not as simple as the Qingzhou prefectural government office. Since you are a woman, one fears that there will be a lot of difficulties. “

Contrariwise, Bó Ruò Yōu smiled, not minding it at all, “Min’nü has already anticipated that early on, except min’nü is in possession of skills, and isn’t afraid of adversary.” As if she was aware of what Huò Wēi Lóu was thinking, her lips thinned, “A recommendation letter might be considered as simple to Hou’ye, but from min’nü’s point of view, it is extremely precious. Min’nü was fortunate enough to be in Qingzhou prefectural government office because Hè daren recognised [her] worth, but wanting to work in the Metropolitan government office, even just wanting to meet the Capital Magistrate daren would require a great deal of effort, but with Hou’ye’s recommendation letter, it will make all the difference.”

Huò Wēi Lóu never thought that there would actually be a day where he could not send out the benefits and advantages in his hands.

Bó Ruò Yōu paused, like she was levelling her emotions and her expression became calmer by a certain degree, “Does Hou’ye have anything else to instruct?”

It was apparent that she was preparing to ask for leave. Huò Wēi Lóu stared at Bó Ruò Yōu’s lucid and elegant eyes, his lips parting, but what came out of his mouth was: “There’s none, [you] may withdraw.”

Bó Ruò Yōu executed a quick bow. When she was turned around to leave, her footsteps were light, making it evident that she was happy.

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Once Bó Ruò Yōu stepped out of the room, Huò Wēi Lóu finally issued a soundless chuckle. He did not manage to offer the benefits in his hands, but this was the first time he felt that fulfilling the requests of others could actually bring him such pleasure.

When Fu gonggong entered the door, he promptly saw the lingering mirth that Huò Wēi Lóu was harbouring in the depths of his eyes, which made him jump in shock, “Hou’ye, what has caused such happiness?”

With that question, the lingering mirth immediately disappeared without a trace. Huò Wēi Lóu shifted his pupils to glance at Fu gonggong, using a kind of scrutinising gaze that was capable of making Fu gonggong’s hair stand, “What’s the matter Hou’ye? Yōu Yōu looks very happy too, did she say what her request was?”

Bó Ruò Yōu’s request was something that Fu gonggong was curious about as well. However, Huò Wēi Lóu seemed to ignore his words altogether, only asking with some solemnity: “Do you have any wishes recently?”

Fu gonggong froze, “Laonu… What could laonu possibly wish for?”

Huò Wēi Lóu continued to ask: “There’s nothing [you] want?”

“There’s nothing to want in particular ah, it’s not like Hou’ye doesn’t understand laonu, what could laonu possibly want for…”

Fu gonggong was flummoxed, whereas Huò Wēi Lóu stated, “Think of one right now then.”

Fu gonggong was stunned, what was going on with his family’s Marquis?

Although he was completely baffled, Huò Wēi Lóu’s expression conveyed that he was not joking, so Fu gonggong scrunched his eyebrows, wearing a painful expression as he pondered for a long moment. After finally thinking of one, he smacked his lips and said helplessly, “If there must be one… having been in the temple for a few days, it has been vegetarian meals day in and day out, and laonu’s mouth is so bland that there is no taste left. One heard that Luozhou’s freshwater fish is absolutely delicious, laonu has a slight craving for Luzhou’s freshwater dishes.”

Huò Wēi Lóu arched his brows slightly, seemingly satisfied, before he raised his voice and said: “Lù Kē—”

Lù Kē verbally responded, but he became dumbstruck after hearing Huò Wēi Lóu’s order. Huò Wēi Lóu was actually telling him to command someone to go down the mountain to buy freshwater dishes, and this startled Fu gonggong as well. “Hou’ye, this… there’s no need to be so hasty about this?”

Huò Wēi Lóu frowned, “You wanted it, so benhou is satisfying you, is that bad?”

Fu gonggong clicked his tongue. Lù Kē did not know what was happening, and he was going to carry out his orders when he heard Huò Wēi Lóu say, “Lù Kē—”

Lù Kē turned back around with due haste, “Does Hou’ye have other commands?”

“Do you have any wishes?”

Huò Wēi Lóu asked with a serious expression, but that scared the wits out of Fu gonggong and Lù Kē instead.

Huò Wēi Lóu managed his subordinates with extreme rigour; although he rewarded them frequently, the honours and rewards were always dispensed according to merit, but now wasn’t the time to discuss their contributions yet, why was he asking if he had any wishes? Furthermore… During the reward bestowment in the past, it would always be his family’s Marquis deciding what the reward was. Admittedly, everything his Marquis bestowed were good items, but his Marquis never had the habit of asking people what they wanted in the past when he was rewarding them. 

Lù Kē shot Fu gonggong a swift look, and upon seeing that Fu gonggong was equally lost, he became calmer instead. He pondered briefly before stating in a righteously just tone: “This subordinate wishes for the country to prosper and for the people to live in peace.”

Huò Wēi Lóu knitted his brows slightly, “Change to another.”

Lù Kē thought about it again, “This subordinate wishes that Hou’ye will live to a thousand years—”

Huò Wēi Lóu became somewhat impatient, “Benhou is asking if you have any wishes, not ordering you to express your loyalty.”

Lù Kē scratched his head, suddenly understanding why Fu gonggong’s visage had been so strange when he entered the room previously. Similarly, he felt that this matter wasn’t simple at all, “Then… This subordinate… This subordinate wants to taste Luozhou’s Qiu Lou Bai. It’s rumoured that the Qiu Lou Bai brewed from the broomcorn millet grown in the Luozhou locality is incredibly strong…”

Huò Wēi Lóu looked at the pair who wanted to eat freshwater dishes and drink delicious wine, feeling a little speechless. The present situation was clearly different from what he had imagined, if he were to say that those outsiders were avaricious with all those desires in their hearts, then the pair in front of him were both trusted aides, and their requests were incomparably simple. In spite of that… The state of mind that Bó Ruò Yōu had evoked was gone.

“Hou’ye?” Seeing that Huò Wēi Lóu was staring into the distance wordlessly, Fu gonggong could not resist speaking up, “Maybe… Míng gongzi and Shizi should be called over, so [you] may ask them if they have any wishes?”

Completely mystified, Lù Kē concurred with him: “That’s right, His Highness the Shizi would definitely have a lot of wishes.”

Huò Wēi Lóu’s complexion was rather ugly as he narrowed his eyes, and he suddenly changed his mind, “Before this case is finished, everyone has to subsist on vegetarian food, no one is allowed to break the temple rules.”

Fu gonggong was slightly regretful, whereas Lù Kē was still wearing a bewildered expression. After seeing Huò Wēi Lóu wave his hand impatiently, the pair withdrew outside together. As they were walking, Fu gonggong said with some grief, “What was that, wasn’t it Hou’ye who asked us on his own accord? Why did he make it seem like we were trying to break the rules? If he didn’t ask, zajia wouldn’t have thought that way, but now that he has made a fuss about it, zajia is really craving for it…”

Lù Kē felt that it was outrageous too, but he adjusted his expression very quickly as he said: “Gonggong, I understand now. Hou’ye is industrious during official business, he must be thinking about the case.”

In the face of Lù Kē’s visible and deep veneration, Fu gonggong remained uncomprehending, to which Lù Kē said: “Gonggong has forgotten, Wáng Qīng Fǔ hasn’t been interrogated yet! Wáng Qīng Fǔ is a watertight person; we haven’t discovered any of his weakness up until now. Perhaps Hou’ye is considering what kind of wishes Wáng Qīng Fǔ might in order to use it as a breakthrough later and make him confess?”

Fu gonggong was half-believing and half-disbelieving, “Really? Why does zajia get the sense that isn’t true…”

……

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Indeed, Wáng Qīng Fǔ did not allow a single drop of water to leak out.

On the morning of the second day, an embroidered emissary came forward to make a report to Huò Wēi Lóu.

“In these past two days, Wú daren appeared rather anxious, coming forward to make inquiries numerous times, but Wáng daren stayed inside him room from the beginning to end, reading Buddhist scriptures, practicing calligraphy, and painting, with the pattern of his daily life being extremely regular. Whenever the subordinates send over the meals, he never asks about anything. When this subordinate left the room just now, Wáng daren was partaking in his breakfast, and he gives the impression that he isn’t the slightest bit worried about anything that has happened in the past two days.”

Once Huò Wēi Lóu heard that statement, his expression became heavy, “Take the Buddhist scriptures he read, the calligraphy he wrote, the paintings he made, and bring them to benhou to take a look.”

The embroidered emissary accepted his order and left. Lín Huái, who had come over and was waiting at the side, revealed some worry on his face, “In the years that xiaguan has been in the Ministry of Justice, he too, has encountered a fair share of felons. The type that doesn’t flaunt their talent and skill, is genuinely the scariest; even if heavy torture is used, it is as though he is not afraid of death, and he would never speak because he swore to it. From what xiaguan can perceive, it’s highly likely that Wáng daren is that type of person.”

Huò Wēi Lóu’s eyes congealed, “The world has no perfect beings; every person will inevitably have a weakness without exception, it is just that some people can hide it extremely well, and it is not as easy to unearth them, that’s all.”

After that sentence was uttered, Lín Huái glanced at Huò Wēi Lóu subconsciously. In Lín Huái’s opinion, Huò Wēi Lóu appeared as though he did not have any weaknesses.

Huò Wēi Lóu caught sight of Lín Huái’s cursory glance with his keen senses. In a blithe manner, he said: “Benhou has his weaknesses as well, does Lín daren wish to probe for them?”

Lín Huái’s back and shoulders stiffened out of fear as he squeezed out an awkward smile, “Xiaguan does not dare.”

Soon after, the Buddhist scriptures, calligraphies, and paintings that Wáng Qīng Fǔ had been looking at were brought over. Wáng Qīng Fǔ came from the Qiangzhou-Wang clan, and the Wang clan was an illustrious family of Confucianist scholars in the previous dynasty with a good reputation. Although it was in the state of decline now, its strength of character was still preserved, and these traits were evident in Wáng Qīng Fǔ’s calligraphy and paintings.

Wáng Qīng Fǔ had been practicing his calligraphy these past two days by writing Buddhist verses: his cursive script was like floating clouds and flowing waters, his brushstrokes vigorous, and just looking at his handwriting was enough to imagine him clad in black robes as he stood before a writing desk, wielding his brush in splash-ink to pen down bold strokes in a refined and tasteful manner. The pictures he painted was nothing more than scenery of the sharp peaks of the pagodas on Xixia Mountain which were covered in clouds and wrapped in mist, like he was a wandering scholar who had travelled here instead of a criminal suspect. The Buddhist Scriptures could not be more normal: a roll of the Sutra of the Fundamental Vows of the Bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha and another of the Avatamsaka Sutra, both of which were borrowed from the monks, and it bore the marks of being flipped through all year round.

Had it not been for Yuè Míng Quán’s written testimony, all of these would only give people the impression that Wáng Qīng Fǔ was not panicked in the slightest in his heart, as if he was just an outsider in the whole situation, and it was precisely because of that, which allowed him to practice calligraphy and paint with this state of mind.

Huò Wēi Lóu put down the religious scriptures, “Call for Wú Yú.”

Lù Kē departed with the order. Very quickly, Wú Yú entered the meditation hall’s doors behind him.

After two days and two nights of confinement, there were bruises underneath Wú Yú’s eyes, his complexion was wan and sallow, looking rather tormented all in all. After entering the door and bowing, Wú Yú asked in a hurry: “Hou’ye, are there clues about who the murderer is?”

Huò Wēi Lóu was sitting at the main seat. Instead of answering, he asked: “In your opinion, what kind of person is Wáng Qīng Fǔ?”

Wú Yú stiffened. Then, he thought of something which caused his eyes to widen slightly, “Is Hou’ye suspecting Wáng-xiong? It couldn’t possibly be Wáng-xiong, he would never hurt someone…”

A cold smile lined the edges of Huò Wēi Lóu’s mouth, “You think him to be completely harmless, but when he was being interrogated previously, he insinuated to benhou that you had some connection to the case that year. Between the two of you, whose words are real?”

Wú Yú’s complexion changed instantaneously. “Wáng-xiong insinuated it was xiaguan? That can’t be, xiaguan has been friends with Wáng-xiong for so many years…”

Huò Wēi Lóu raised his hand to interrupt him, “Just answer benhou’s question.”

Wú Yú swallowed his saliva with much difficulty, “As a person, Wáng-xiong cares for neither fame nor fortune. In xiaguan’s opinion, he possesses the strength of character that the Qiangzhou-Wang clan has in their arteries and veins; rather than call him a court official, it would be more accurate to say that he is a scholar down to his bones. He does not scramble for power or profit, merely protecting his small place in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and is rather self-contented despite that. The Court of Imperial Sacrifices has close relations to the Imperial Family and Royal Clan, but he doesn’t like making friends with them, only hoping to maintain his personal integrity. When xiaguan suffered quite a few setbacks in the officialdom because of the Śarīra theft incident back then, not only did Wáng-xiong not scorn xiaguan for having a low position, but he even extended a helping hand. This kind of friendly feelings, xiaguan will forever etch in his heart, he… really isn’t the type of person who would kill in order to strive for glory, splendour, wealth, and rank. “

“Who said he wouldn’t kill in the quest for glory, splendour, wealth, and rank?”

Huò Wēi Lóu narrowed his eyes, “All humans in this world have seven emotions and six desires: there are those who seek fortune, some who seek power, and others who are attracted to beauty. He cares for neither fame nor fortune, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have other interests. Benhou is questioning you because [I] want to know, what does he care about the most all these years?”

Wú Yú’s expression was a touch bewildered. He scrunched his brows and thought for a long moment, but his eyes were completely vacant by the end of it, “Xiaguan… Xiaguan can’t think of anything… Wáng-xiong is very calm and elegant, does his utmost in official business, but it’s scarcely because he was vying for merit. He has normal interests like collecting some well-known paintings, but he has never been extravagant or decadent to this end, as he usually depends on the affinity of things. Although he has a wife and concubines in his residence, he gets along with them in great harmony, and he doesn’t seem like someone who is fond of beauties.”  

Once Wú Yú contemplated to this point, he finally felt a trace of fear, “He… is either a person with a tasteless personality and lacks in interests, or… he was also concealing it from xiaguan.”

If it was the latter, then Wáng Qīng Fǔ was truly terrifying.

Huò Wēi Lóu was unable to make up his mind in the moment, “Apart from you, who is he on friendly terms with, in the Capital?”

Wú Yú replied: “There are a few people apart from xiaguan, though most of them are clear stream civil officials, and the majority come from poor and humble families.”

“Write all of their names down.”

Fu gonggong found a paper and brush, to which Wú Yú wrote down the names of seven to eight people in one breath before he said: “These people frequently gather at Wáng-xiong’s place for a small and distinguished assembly to recite poems and paint. They would occasionally discuss matters of the court, but they are not a clique.”

Wú Yú’s wording was cautious but Huò Wēi Lóu took no notice of it. Among the names written on the paper, the official with the highest position was Wú Yú, who was the Ministry of Rites’ Assistant Minister, while the rest were mostly from poor and humble families, with a bit of talent to their names. When their group was gathered together, they really couldn’t live up the word ‘clique’.

Lín Huái scanned the list before saying doubtfully, “Being on friendly terms with these people does conform to his personality. Moreover, it looks like he’s on friendly terms with quite a few people, and isn’t necessarily an unsociable and eccentric person. If he stole the Śarīra, what was it for?”

Wáng Qīng Fǔ’s curriculum vitae could not be more normal, but the more that was the case, the harder it was to comprehend him. Huò Wēi Lóu’s eyes congealed since he could not fathom it either. The Court of Imperial Sacrifices’ main responsibility was the ancestral shrines and sacrificial offerings. If he had close associations with the Imperial Family and Royal clan, then everything would be more convenient, but against all reason, Wáng Qīng Fǔ preferred to maintain his personal integrity. As such, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices would become a place without real power, especially in the imperial court, where its influence was negligible at best. It was the same reason why Huò Wēi Lóu felt no one would want to form a clique with him.

Wú Yú continued to speak, “Furthermore, Wáng-xiong does not believe in the Buddha, nor does he believe in Taoism.”

Now that was even stranger.

Since Yuè Míng Quán had divulged the existence of the key which was hidden in his old home in Cangzhou, it was unlikely that he was lying. Therefore, if Wáng Qīng Fǔ stole the Śarīra, what did he use it for? And where was the Śarīra right now?

With slightly narrowed phoenix eyes, Huò Wēi Lóu made a prompt decision and said: “Bring over Wáng Qīng Fǔ.”

Although he could not comprehend Wáng Qīng Fǔ as a person, he still ought to exchange figurative blows with him to probe for the actual situation. In the time it took Lù Kē to carry out his order, Huò Wēi Lóu said in a chilling voice: “If nothing comes out of the interrogation, escort him back to the Capital first. After returning to the Capital, what benhou has is time to grind him down.”

The embroidered emissaries had their own death prison. Out of all the people that entered, there were very few who could still keep their mouths shut like a closed bottle.

Lín Huái, who was listening at the side, could not suppress the slight chill that went down his spine.

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This wait, however, was much longer than what it took to summon Wú Yú. Just when Huò Wēi Lóu was coming to the realisation that something was wrong, Lù Kē ran back with a head full of heavy perspiration, “Hou’ye, something bad has happened, Wáng Qīng Fǔ swallowed gold!”

“Swallowed gold?!”

Huò Wēi Lóu stood up with a flash of understanding, while the expressions of Lín Huái and Fu gonggong also changed immensely!

Lù Kē nodded, “Yes, he carried broken pieces of gold on his person, all of which he swallowed. He’s currently hanging on his last breath, this subordinate has already dispatched someone to invite Míng gongzi, though it’s unknown if he can be saved—”

Huò Wēi Lóu laughed coldly, his eyes warning the approach of storm clouds, “As expected, he isn’t afraid of death.”

Having said that, he raised his foot and stepped out of the door. Just as he exited, he caught sight of Bó Ruò Yōu, who had walked out because she heard the noise coming from the wing-room. Huò Wēi Lóu glanced at her without uttering a word, directly heading for Wáng Qīng Fǔ’s meditation courtyard, with Bó Ruò Yōu following in his footsteps hurriedly. 

Lù Kē was explaining as they travelled: “When his texts and paintings were being taken away this morning, he didn’t display any abnormalities, and for the double-hour in between, no one outside heard any movements. When this subordinate was calling him just now, he did not respond, and he only realised that something was wrong after entering the door because his face was completely devoid of blood.”

Just as they reached the meditation hall, they saw Huò Qīng Hóng and Míng Guī Lán arriving with the embroidered emissaries as escorts. It was evident that Míng Guī Lán had already received the report, since he was frowning as he asked: “How much did he swallow?”

Lù Kē pondered briefly, “At least a few taels of gold.”

The knit of Míng Guī Lán’s brows became even tighter instantaneously, “Go inside and have a look first.”

The group entered the meditation hall, with two embroidered emissaries lifting Míng Guī Lán’s wheelchair through the main doors. Once they crossed the threshold, they saw a black-robed Wáng Qīng Fǔ reclining on a north-facing couch. His clothes were neat and tidy, his hands were folded and placed on his abdomen, appearing as though he was sleeping. But upon walking closer, you could see his brows scrunched together in agony and blood was trickling out from the corner of his lips as cold sweat flowed down ghastly pale cheeks, with the small rise and falls of his chest being the sole indication that he was still alive.

Swallowing gold was an exceedingly painful method of dying. Although nothing could be perceived on the surface, the gold would fall into stomach and next would be the poisoning, though most would die from the haemorrhaging due to damage done to their inner organs. It was absurdly painful and agonising, but quite evidently, Wáng Qīng Fǔ was more than willing to choose a death where he could still look dignified on the surface.

Míng Guī Lán went forward to take his pulse, and then touched his spleen and stomach, before he turned his head swiftly to look at Huò Wēi Lóu, “Hou’ye, he can no longer be saved. In this type of situation, he will inevitably die by nightfall.”

The aura sheeting Huò Wēi Lóu’s body changed instantaneously.

He had yet to be interrogated, but he chose to swallow gold first?!

He narrowed his frigid eyes, and all of the embroidered emissaries responsible for guarding him started feeling cold sweat pour out of their foreheads. However, he did not cause difficulties for them, only stating in a cold voice: “All of you withdraw first.”

Míng Guī Lán glanced at Wáng Qīng Fǔ, heaving a sigh before he went outside, with Huò Qīng Hóng trailing after him. Although Bó Ruò Yōu obeyed the command and retreated, she noted that Huò Wēi Lóu hadn’t moved at all. The current Wáng Qīng Fǔ had passed out from the pain some time ago, but it was unknown what Huò Wēi Lóu was planning to do.

The group stepped out of the room in single file. Only Huò Wēi Lóu, Lù Kē, and the embroidered emissaries he brought along stayed inside. 

The door to the main room closed. Everyone outside was wearing grim expressions, and likewise, Bó Ruò Yōu’s brows were wrung together tightly.

Having to wait in silence was torturous for the heart, but very quickly, a blood-curdling screech that belonged to Wáng Qīng Fǔ travelled out from the room, sounding all sad and shrill.

Translator’s Thoughts: I googled if you could actually die by swallowing gold, and apparently you can. Not the gold leaf crap though (you would have to swallow a few kilos of that, probably), but actual raw gold. It’s not the metal poisoning that kills but the specific gravity of the gold weighing down on you and puncturing through your organs, thereby causing internal bleeding and subsequently a slow and painful death.

Moral of the story: don’t try and swallow gold ingots like your ancestors, kids, it’s not worth it.